In November 2018 the Government of Fiji announced that Aspen Medical was the successful Selected Bidder for the provision of health services under a Public Private Partnership arrangement. The contract was signed yesterday, 17 January 2019, at a ceremony at Ro Lalabalavu House in Suva. Fijian Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum officiated at the signing of Fiji's Public-Private Partnership for the Ba and Lautoka Hospital.
Aspen Medical will work together with the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) over the next six months as major investors to see the work that is needed to be done at both two hospitals.
The selection of Aspen Medical to undertake this project is in line with the Fiji Government’s budget announcements for 2018/19 to modernise the Fiji health system.
Under the PPP arrangements, Aspen Medical has been selected to develop, finance, upgrade, operate and maintain Lautoka Hospital, Fiji’s second largest hospital, and the new Ba Sub-divisional hospital.
Speaking at the contract signing, Aspen Medical Group Chief Executive Bruce Armstrong said, “Aspen Medical is proud to be an Australian company making a difference across the Pacific providing diversified healthcare services. We are honoured to have been selected by the Government of Fiji, to partner with FNPF, for the provision of health services under a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
“We look forward to bringing our considerable healthcare experience to support the Government of Fiji’s strategic objective to modernise the Fijian health system, particularly in the areas of primary and tertiary healthcare. National health capability development and capacity building will be the foundation of this partnership.”
Key aspects of this PPP partnership with the Fiji Government include:
- commissioning and equipping the newly constructed Ba Sub-Regional Hospital of 70 beds, and then moving all services to it from the existing Ba Mission Hospital
- undertaking an initial 'fix' of the Lautoka Hospital infrastructure, sufficient for it to provide appropriate support to service delivery until further substantial renovations or rebuilding can be undertaken
- development of building infrastructure at Lautoka Hospital (305 beds) that complies with Australian Health Facilities Guidelines
- commissioning and equipping these new facilities at Lautoka Hospital as they come on line
- Implementation of a new ICT system that features patient management administration; enhanced communication facilities; financial management and building management
- the construction of a 100-bed student accommodation facility
- achievement of accreditation to international standards for the services delivered from both hospitals.
The management and operation of all aspects of the delivery of the health and hospital services for the duration this contract (23 years) will deliver enhanced clinical services across a range of specialties including Renal Dialysis; Chemotherapy; Maternity; Oncology; Coronary Care, Intensive Care, as well as the usual mainstream services such as Emergency Department; Maternity Services; Neonatal and Children’s Services; and Operating Theatres. The upgrading of the clinical skills of all staff will also be a major focus of the Aspen Medical team.
This latest venture builds on Aspen Medical’s experience providing healthcare across the Pacific region. Over the past 15 years the company has provided primary care, emergency care, aero-medical evacuation services and managed hospitals and clinics for customers in the private and public sectors in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Kiribati.
Aspen Medical was named the National Exporter of the Year at the 56th Australian Export Awards held in Canberra in November 2018.
Image (L-R): Fijian Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Aspen Medical Group CEO Bruce Armstrong